2019-2020 Gratitude Report

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

2019-2020

WINGS FOR KI KIDS D /// GRATITUDE GRATITUU DE D REPORT

HOW EQUITY & EMPATHY GUIDE OUR WORK

-CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS

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THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THE HIGHEST CALLING OF YOUR HEART AND SUPPORTING WHAT YOU TRULY BELIEVE:

that all children, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status deserve equitable access to education, emotional support, and opportunity.

THREE TRUTHS LIVE AT THE HEART OF WINGS: 1. Black, brown, and low-income kids deserve every opportunity their upper-class white peers are provided.

2. Our program is effective because of the college-aged mentors who make social emotional learning (SEL) relatable and engaging.

3. SEL transforms the lives of kids (and adults).

YOU recognize that strong, caring relationships and an abundance of empathy shape success in school and life. Now - during a global pandemic and heightened racial inequities that are accompanied by fear, uncertainty, and loneliness - skills like self-management, responsible decision-making, and social awareness have never mattered more. There’s no one better to model these social emotional skills than mentors who understand and have lived what it’s like to grow up just as WINGS kids are - black in America. Because of your support, kids like Za’Kari know what it feels like to be valued and loved by a mentor like Albert’Nique. What an example they have given us.

With passion, purpose, and a commitment to WINGS kids and WINGS staff, we will continue to equip kids with the skills they need to succeed in school, stay in school, and thrive in life. We’ll do this together because it’s the heart of the matter.

“I’ve had a lot of time to reflect this year on what I think is the most important lesson WINGS teaches stepping into one another’s shoes.

From a health crisis, to the incredible racial injustices, to low-income students being left behind in the virtual learning environment - what must our kids be thinking and feeling?

In their shoes, I imagine they feel scared, worried, and anxious. In their shoes, they must be thinking “Am I alone?” or “Am I next?”. What I know for sure in my heart is that we must do more because our kids deserve the same opportunities - the same safety - the same resources that white, upper-class children automatically receive. This is why WINGS began 24 years ago. And this is what we’re fighting for every single day.”

- Bridget Laird, CEO

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GOOD WILL COME

ALBERT’NIQUE HOWARD: PERSEVERANCE & POSITIVITY PERSONIFIED When Albert’Nique Howard accepted a job as a WINGS Leader in 2013 at Heritage Elementary in Atlanta, she couldn’t have guessed how much her journey would inspire her students, colleagues, and community. A sophomore at Agnes Scott College, Howard was looking for part-time work while she pursued her degree in History and Early Childhood Development.

“At first I was just looking for a job and I didn’t know what WINGS was all about,” Howard remembers. “My first year as a WINGS Leader was honestly really tough. It was something I had never done before. But I persevered because I wanted to be the best I could be for the kids. I wanted to have an impact on my community and be the adult that I needed when I was growing up.”

Through her job as a WINGS Leader, Howard began to develop a deeper understanding of social emotional learning. “I could see the big difference that social emotional learning made in our students’ lives, but I was also able to use these skills with my little brother at home,” Howard states. “I knew then that social emotional learning was what I wanted to do with my life.”

After completing her college degree with honors in 2016, Howard was promoted to a Program Associate and then to Program Coordinator and Coach at Hutchinson Elementary, a Title 1 school in Atlanta.

An Atlanta native, Howard grew up in the same neighborhoods that she now serves as a Program Coordinator. She uses her past experiences to motivate her students.

“I grew up in the same community as many of our Atlanta students,” Howard recalls.

“But that made me a stronger individual and I used those experiences to shape a better future for myself. I tell my students to persevere, and something GOOD WILL COME of the hard times.”

The social emotional skills Howard developed through her work at WINGS allowed her to forge new connections to her students and her community.

“I HAD A STUDENT NAMED SEAN WHO WAS CHALLENGING WHEN HE FIRST CAME TO WINGS. HE HAD A BAD TEMPER AND A BAD ATTITUDE,” HOWARD REMEMBERS. “BUT I SAW SOMETHING SPECIAL IN HIM. I KNEW HE WAS ACTING OUT BECAUSE HE DIDN’T FEEL LISTENED TO. NO ONE EVER STEPPED INTO HIS SHOES AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS GOING ON AT HOME. EVERY DAY I MADE AN EFFORT TO ASK HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS LIFE AND FEELINGS. FROM THEN ON HE LISTENED TO ME BECAUSE I LISTENED TO HIM; HE EMBODIED OUR WINGS WORDS TO LIVE BY. HIS GRADES GOT BETTER AND HIS BEHAVIOR IMPROVED, ALL BECAUSE I TOOK THE TIME TO LISTEN.”

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GOOD WILL COME

ALBERT’NIQUE HOWARD: PERSEVERANCE & POSITIVITY PERSONIFIED Howard is a constant positive presence for her students and staff, many of whom were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial injustices that have been perpetuated in Atlanta and throughout the U.S.

“It’s really difficult to talk to kids about racism because I never want our students to feel afraid,” Howard states. “So when I talk with our students about the racial injustices going on in the world I tell them that social emotional learning is the key to understanding racism but also to overcoming it. I emphasize that we never judge each other by the color of our skin, or by our differences, which ties to our Words to Live By. Our differences make us stronger. But I’m also realistic with them about the challenges we’re facing and I encourage them to have a voice, to speak out, and stand up for what is right.”

Despite the challenges of the past year, Howard continues to embody positivity and perseverance and never stops believing in her students. “Even though some of our WINGS kids have limitations because of their home environment or their community, I know that if they have positive adults who are willing to be good role models and invest in them, that these students can be anything they want to be in life.”

PHOTOS: TOP LEFT:

TOP RIGHT:

BOTTOM LEFT:

BOTTOM RIGHT:

Albert’Nique as a WINGS Leader in 2016

Albert’Nique and Sean

Albert’Nique as a Program Coach and Coordinator in 2018 (pictured with former Program Assistant Kourtney McLaughlin)

Albert’Nique in action as a WINGS Leader

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HOW WE SEE IT

Growing up, we each had a safe place and a caring adult who helped shape our lives: a mentor to look up to, an aunt who told us we were special, a brother who taught us about positive relationships, or a classroom that brought out our best. No matter what was going on around us, these spaces were ours - and that’s why we’re so committed to creating them for kids today.

In safe spaces, kids have room to learn, grow, let loose, make mistakes, and try again. We know not all spaces are safe, fair, and trustworthy for black and brown kids. But WINGS is.

Each of us has been stereotyped, overlooked, or made to feel different because of the color of our skin. If 2020 has done anything, it has made these injustices and biases more visible, a glaring spotlight on just how unsupportive the world can be for black people - and how cautiously we must move through each day.

So, how do we persevere and work towards equity for our kids? By modeling empathy, listening attentively, and being their safe place.

For us, there is no argument - ALL kids need social emotional learning. For us, there is also no argument that black and brown kids need a safe place where they are surrounded by trustworthy, relatable adults who believe in them and want to help them grow.

Representation matters!

The sisterhood we feel as leaders within this organization is real and inspires us every day.

We each know we’ve been called to this work and this place -- to be here at this time in our history - shaping the lives of the young adults we coach and providing plenty of space for every kid to spread their wings.

As we all struggle through this very challenging year, we think there’s never been a better time to go all-in. Go all-in for your family, your neighborhood, and your community. We’re proof that when you do, you not only change lives around you, you change your own.

Boldly, CHERYL HOLLIS

Director of Programs

KAMILAH STAGGERS

Programs Manager

TRISTAN RICHARDSON Programs Manager

MALLORY DORSEY

Programs Quality Manager

PHOTOS: TOP (LEFT TO RIGHT):

MIDDLE (LEFT TO RIGHT) :

BOTTOM (LEFT TO RIGHT):

Mallory Dorsey as Program Coordinator and Coach at Burns Elementary School

Kamilah Staggers at a WINGS Leader training

Tristan Richardson at a Charlotte, NC program

Mallory, Program Quality Manager

Tristan, Cheryl, and Kamilah at a WINGS Staff event

Cheryl Hollis at a WINGS Leader training

Cheryl caught in action while visiting a program

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ACTION: 2019-2020 IN NUMBERS

1580

BLACK

WHITE

MULTI-RACIAL

OTHER

HISPANIC/LATINX

kids were served throughout the 2019-2020 school year (in-person and virtually) at WINGS afterschool programs.

85% Black | 5% White | 4% Multi-Racial | 4% Other | 2% Hispanic/Latinx

94

BLACK

HISPANIC/LATINX

MULTI-RACIAL

OTHER

WHITE

WINGS Leaders - college-aged mentors - provided daily (in-person and virtual) social emotional learning.

89% Black | 5% Hispanic/Latinx | 3% Multi-Racial | 2% Other | 1% White

direct service afterschool programs throughout the Southeast

kids attended virtual WINGS sessions from March - June 2020

PARTNER PROGRAMS SITES SERVED OVER

76,100 2.2 MILLION

KIDS

educators across the country accessed curriculum and resources from Soar with Wings - our program with Discovery Education and generously funded by the Allstate Foundation and the Susan Crown Exchange

kids experienced social emotional learning through Soar with Wings

forced us to adapt how frequently we collected and reported on data like: COVID-19 school attendance, parent feedback, student SEL knowledge assessments, and classroom teacher feedback. LIFE’S FULL OF SURPRISES!

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A BRIDGE TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE REMAINING CONSTANT FOR ZA’KARI

When Diamond Burton discovered that her 3rd grade daughter Za’Kari was getting into fights at school, she knew she had to intervene. The guidance counselor at Chicora Elementary recommended that Burton enroll her daughter in WINGS. During her first weeks at WINGS, Za’Kari demonstrated many of the negative behaviors she displayed in the classroom. She refused to follow directions and initiated confrontations with other students. Her WINGS Leader spent time talking with Za’Kari and discovered that she was trying to befriend a group of older girls.

Keyasia Hale, WINGS Program Coordinator at Chicora Elementary, remembers the start of Za’Kari’s journey at WINGS. “When Za’Kari started at WINGS, she was tough,” Hale recalls. “She sought the approval of friends who were older than her and negatively altered her behavior to impress them.”

Za’Kari’s WINGS Leader developed activities to help Za’Kari build the self-confidence she needed to make responsible choices. She participated in discussions and role-play to help Za’Kari learn to resist negative peer pressure.

Her WINGS Leader also encouraged Za’Kari to become involved in activities that encouraged self-expression and independence, like chess and dance.

Za’Kari’s mom began to notice an improvement. “Because of WINGS she grew tremendously,” Burton says. “Her behavior and grades greatly improved.”

WHEN CHARLESTON SCHOOLS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE IN THE SPRING AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WINGS LEADERS REMAINED DEDICATED TO CONNECTING WITH ZA’KARI. “THE WINGS TEAM WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HER, CALLING AND CHECKING ON HER, AND CHEERING ON ZA’KARI’S PROGRESS,” BURTON REMEMBERS. “WINGS LEADERS CONTINUED TO TALK WITH HER AND MADE HER FEEL SPECIAL.”

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A BRIDGE TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE REMAINING CONSTANT FOR ZA’KARI

As a result of the caring WINGS role models in her life, Za’Kari’s behavior has greatly improved. She speaks respectfully to her peers and has developed close friendships with several girls her age.

Za’Kari’s mom views her daughter’s time at WINGS as a bridge to a brighter future.

“I can see Za’Kari going to college and being successful,” Burton states.

“I’m so proud of how she’s become such a leader.”

REACHING FAR & WIDE:

WINGS ACROSS AMERICA, ONE YEAR IN In September 2018, WINGS partnered with Discovery Education – the global leader in standards-based digital content for classrooms worldwide – to help us create a social emotional learning program centered on our evidence-based afterschool curriculum.

Generously sponsored by the Allstate Foundation and the Susan Crown Exchange, this program, Soar with Wings, provides FREE standards-aligned learning activities for K-5th educators to use in the classroom, during out-of-school programming, and at home.

To date, we have reached 2.2 million kids through this program – 700,000 of these kids were reached during the spring quarantine period. More than 76,000 educators have accessed our resources, too.

WINGS Across America has reached MILLIONS of kids because you helped us dream big. What an incredible feeling to be a resource for students and teachers during a difficult, unprecedented time. Visit soarwithwings.com to learn more.

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PROGRESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP SEL IN DETROIT

When schools were forced to shutter their doors nationwide as a result of COVID-19, the needs of students living in poverty became more urgent than ever before. In order to reach as many at-risk children as possible, WINGS partnered with over 42 schools and out-of-school-time program sites nationwide during 2019-20.

An out-of-school-time program founded by author and longtime WINGS supporter Mitch Albom, S.A.Y. Play Detroit Center (SAY Play) provides academic, athletic, and arts programming for one of Detroit’s most challenged and underserved neighborhoods.

This year, SAY Play chose to partner with WINGS to incorporate social emotional learning (SEL) into their pre-existing program curriculum. Through this ongoing partnership, WINGS and SAY Play sought to utilize SEL to create systemic, long-term change in the Detroit community.

WINGS provided an immersive professional development program that introduced SAY Play staff and educators to the tenets of social emotional learning and best-practice teaching strategies.

WINGS also helped program staff and educators incorporate social emotional learning lessons into their daily curriculum and model positive skills for students. WINGS collaborated closely with SAY Play to incorporate routines, such as a social emotional learning pledge and Community Unity, which contributed to a high-energy, supportive program environment. WINGS looks forward to growing our collaboration with SAY Play, and similar out-of-school-time programs and school districts nationwide, in the coming years.

SAY Play students were deeply impacted by the pandemic and the racial injustices of 2020. Several students shared their reflections on how social emotional learning helped them grow during this uncertain time:

“Social emotional learning has taught me a lot of things, like to never give up.

I also learned how to control my anger.”

–Brandon Cooper, age 12

“󹁦e most important pi󹁃ar, to me, of social emotional learning is selfawareness. You need to know what you like to do so you don’t end up in a situation you don’t want to be in. If you are afraid of heights, but you don’t know it, if someone takes you skydiving you wi󹁃 end up in a rea󹁃y scary situation!”

–Nyla Theriot, age 9

“We also learned about social emotional learning. 󹁦e one I thought was most important was responsible decision-making. You have to know what decisions to make. For example, say you’re grounded and told you have to stay in the house.

However, your friend is throwing a big party and wants you to come. In your head, you ask if you should listen to your parents or go to the party. It is your decision, and you should make the responsible one: stay home.”

–Ana Ordonez-Oswiany, age 10

“In summer camp, I learned about black citizens, heroes, and supporters.

I learned how to not be afraid to show my feelings. You can never judge yourself on what other people think.”

–Makayla White, age 11

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STEWARDS OF YOUR GENEROSITY

FINANCIALS: JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020*

I N-K I ND

FOUN DATI O N S

FEDERAL C O RP O RATIO N S

STATE & L O C A L IND I V ID UA L S E A RNED OTHER

1%

$9,534

EARNED INCOME STATE & LOCAL

1%

$66,500

4%

OTHER

INDIVIDUALS

4%

CORPORATIONS FOUNDATIONS

14%

IN-KIND

FEDERAL

15% 15%

46%

$244,020 $300,304 $988,882 $1,016,002 $1,076,119 $3,142,121 TOTAL REVENUE: $6,843,481 *Unaudited

FUNDR AIS ING

PRO GRAM MA NAG EMENT

PROGRAM

MANAGEMENT

FUNDRAISING

80%

17%

3%

$5,627,867

$1,200,651

$186,766 TOTAL EXPENSES: $7,015,284

Loss due to the impact of COVID-19 on some of our public revenue streams.

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COMMUNITY OF GOODNESS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judith Ranger Smith, Chair Becky Marson, Secretary Dave Morley, Treasurer Pat Ilderton, Nominating Chair Marc Brackett, Ph.D. Toya Hampton Deborah Kennedy Kennard Wenda Millard Steve Parker, Jr. John Roberts, Jr. Arthur Rosen Kelly Sach Allie Simmons Mike Tollin Steve Ward Lucy Weathers Suzan Zoukis

LIFETIME BOARD MEMBERS Rusty Bennett Ginny Deerin Kate Huey Hayes Mizell Chad Walldorf

COMMUNITY OF GOODNESS PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS Mike Bailin, Former President, The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation Foley Hoag LLP David E.K. Hunter, Ph.D., Hunter Consulting Kristin Moore, Ph.D., Child Trends Karen Walker, Ph.D., Child Trends

PARTNERS Atlanta Public Schools Black Child Development Institute Boys and Girls Clubs of Garden Grove Center for Success Charleston County School District Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Fulton County School District Horizons Atlanta Laurens County School District 55 Lexington School District 5 Meeting Street Academy, Charleston Oxford Circle Christian Development Association Pomona Unified School District - TLC Playmates Preschools and Child Development Centers S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center

ENRICHMENT PARTNERS Abrakadoodle Adaku Media Atlanta Youth Rugby Basketball with Mr. Ray Born II Dance Bricks 4 Kidz Capoeira Academy Chess with Mr. Barnett Chess with Mr. Peacock Children’s Theatre Charlotte Chorus with Mr. Taylor Columbia Children’s Theatre

Crafts with Ms. Johnson EduMotion Go Green with Ms. Wilson-Price Higher Ground Education Jump Bunch (Charlotte and Columbia) Junior Achievement Kidz ‘N’ Kicks Kids-N-Technology Kindermusik of Charleston Lango Kids Liberty Hill Stem Initiative Music for Kids Nexplore Performing Arts with Ms. Vargas Science Olympiad with Ms. Pullins Soccer Shots Soccer with Mr. Ray South Atlanta CTA Spanish Exploration with Ms. Vargas The STEAM Generation Sugar Lou’s Bakery The Art of Esteem The Princess Room with Ms. Madden The Promise Dance Group Twin Elite Athletics USTA South Carolina Well Fitness Yes! (Enrich Kids Now) Zumba with Ms. Warren

VOLUNTEERS Eleanor G. Bertrand Ryerson Desmond Taylor K. Jackson Reese Laird Madison Lalonde Jocelyn Massenet Zora Mayo Dacia Redmond

WORDS TO LIVE BY

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I soar with WINGS. Let me tell you why.

I learn lots of SKILLS that help me reach the sky.

I LOVE AND ACCEPT who I am on the inside and know my emotions are nothing to hide.

Life’s full of surprises that make me feel different ways.

If I can CONTROL MYSELF, I’ll have much better days.

I understand the CHOICES I MAKE should be what’s best for me to do, and what happens is on me and not any of you.

I understand others are unique. I want to learn more about everyone I meet. I want to STEP INTO THEIR SHOES and see what they are going through.

I am a friend. I SUPPORT AND TRUST. Working together is a must. KIND AND CARING I will be. I listen to you.

You listen to me.

I soar with WINGS. I just told you why.

All of these things are WHY I FLY HIGH. We've never needed these words more than in 2020.

READ IT. LEARN IT. LIVE IT.

WINGS FOR KIDS /// GRATITUDE REPORT